Balloon thermal endometrial ablation (using data from Cavaterm and Gynecare as specified by SERNIP)
Summary
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on balloon thermal endometrial ablation.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued safety notices relating to this procedure (Reference Nos. (MDA [1998] SN 9812 and MDA [1999] SN 1999(18) ). For full details click here.
Description
This treatment is used to treat heavy menstrual periods, also known as menorrhagia.
Menorrhagia is a very common problem. In 2000/2001, about 45,000 hysterectomies and 17,000 therapeutic endoscopic uterine procedures were carried out in England (Hospital Episode Statistics; ungrossed for missing data; Department of Health). About half of these are likely to be for heavy menstrual bleeding.
Hysterectomy has been the traditional treatment for women with menorrhagia that has not responded to medical treatment. Minimally invasive procedures to destroy the lining of the uterus (endometrium) may reduce complications and recovery time compared with hysterectomy. They involve destroying the endometrium using lasers, radiofrequency waves, electrocautery, microwaves, heated saline, or a heated balloon.
Balloon thermal endometrial ablation is one of these minimally invasive procedures. It involves inserting a balloon into the uterine cavity through the cervix. The surgeon inflates the balloon with a pressurised solution, which is then heated to destroy the endometrium. It can often be carried out using local anaesthesia on a day-case basis.
OPCS code:
Q16.2 Balloon ablation of endometrium
or
Q17.7 Endoscopic balloon ablation of endometrium
Note: The code selection is dependent on whether the procedure is performed endoscopically (Q17.7) or non-endoscopically (Q16.2).
The NHS Classifications Service of NHS Connecting for Health is the central definitive source for clinical coding guidance and determines the coding standards associated with the classifications (OPCS-4 and ICD-10) to be used across the NHS. The NHS Classifications Service and NICE work collaboratively to ensure the most appropriate classification codes are provided. www.connectingforhealth.co.uk/clinicalcoding
Details
Surgical procedures
Contact details:
(for general enquiries or comments)
Interventional Procedures Programme
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
MidCity Place
71 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6NA
